World Series of Fighting (WSOF) today
officially launches its efforts to become
Las Vegas’ newest successful
mixed martial arts promotion and will
announce that former World Extreme
Cagefighting bantamweight champion
and four-time Ultimate Fighting Championship
veteran Miguel Torres will
headline its first major show, a person
familiar with the deal told USA TODAY
Sports and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). The person requested anonymity
because the official announcement
had not been made.

The promotion is expected to reveal
the headliner at a news conference in
Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood Resort &
Casino, the same property that will
host the company’s debut event Nov. 3.

World Series of Fighting is backed by
MMAWC, a Nevada-based company
founded in 2011. Advertising and marketing
mogul Sig Rogich is the company’s
CEO while kickboxing legend and
recent MMA fighter Ray Sefo serves as
president.

“Running a fight organization like the
World Series of Fighting is the natural
next step for me in my career,” Sefo
said. “I’ve been in the fight business a
long time — more than 20 years — and I
understand how it works from the inside
out.

“I’m ready to stand behind this brand
of MMA and bring it to a national
audience.”

Initial reports pegged WSOF as a
tournament-based promotion, but USA
TODAY Sports has confirmed the organization
has opted instead for a more
traditional card-to-card format.

“There are so many talented fighters
out there looking for a home and a
place to showcase their skills, and, with
this deal with NBC Sports Network in
place, we can deliver that,” Sefo said.

A Planet Hollywood rep said the Caesars
Entertainment-owned property
planned to expand its role in the MMA
world.

“Planet Hollywood is a leader in Las
Vegas entertainment and brings a
sense of youth and energy to the table
that is a perfect match for the World
Series of Fighting,” Planet Hollywood
vice president and assistant general
manager Sean McBurney said. “Hosting
this event is just one further step in
Caesars Entertainment having a larger
presence in the MMA world.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.